How to identify suspension bits?
 

I suspect I've got a bit of a Fraken7 in my current project car. It's an 80 chassis that has been stripped down for Auto-X around '86. There are numerous signs that I shouldn't expect to find stock bits on it for the suspension. It has Konis in the front a Bilsteins in the rear and I've been told that it has a LSD, which it's my understanding that the SA 3rd member can't accommodate. I've done my research and realize that all the suspension, braking, and rear end bits are interchangeable as entire assemblies. My question though is how do you identify which is which? How do you tell a small bearing spindle versus a large bearing spindle, etc. Which axles do I have? The original builder is unavailable to question regarding this so I need to get a handle on what's there so I can start replacing stuff that has sat for many years.

Just a few bits about the car to help narrow down what I do have.

80 chassis
Disks in the front, drums in the rear
4 lug wheels (spacing unknown) (btw what is the proper way to measure said spacing?)
Lug bolts not studs and nuts
Supposedly has LSD.


I don't have many pictures of specific bits but here is what I do have that may or may not be relevant.

http://www.smrt.us/gallery2/main.php...serialNumber=2
http://www.smrt.us/gallery2/main.php...serialNumber=2
http://www.smrt.us/gallery2/main.php...serialNumber=2

drums in the rear might indicate you do not have an LSD. but yours looks either swapped pumpkin or just painted
proper terminology for "spacing" is pitch circle diameter pcd http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/wheeloffset.html
lug bolts are standard for our cars

hope this helps a little! good luck with your car!

LSD? Jack up the back of the car to find out.
turn one rear wheel and see which way the other turns. Same direction = lsd.

Looks like the car has been built for business alright.
If Billy stops by he can probably identify a lot of what's been done to the car.

Aftermarket front sway bar, un-known brand.
(missing a few end link bushings)

Front struts are inserts so the koni sticker on the housing may or may not indicate koni inserts.

Front calipers are not SA so 81+ is all we can say. I would suspect small bearing spindle.

Rear end housing is a small bearing since the third member input flange is threaded.


-billy

Look like stainless brakelines and aftermarket springs also. Someone also put on some nice skinny tires for ya

Snow tires, no less. :)

Maybe it was actually a rallycross car.

Those tires are $25 specials from discount tire so I can roll the sucker around. The original goodyears had dry rotted and the tread separated.

Also thanks for the info Billy. Should give me a direction to start in.

Still kicking myself for not jumping on this car when i saw the ad, I suspect I got in contact with the seller very near the time you did though.

Lemme know if you still need an engine stand or and extra set of hands, lol. I've also got a randon stash of FB parts though most are 81-85.

I'm getting there. :lol: I lost the garage I was in this month and will be moving shop for the third time in 6 or 7 months this weekend. Once this all gets settled I'll hopefully finally be able to start in on this beast. I suspect I'll have a call for parts soonish in order to at least get the car on the road and get antique plates for it. I don't think it has to even pass a inspection for that. Or maybe it just has to do it once and is good for 5 years. :dunno: Anyways I know I'll be looking for some cheap stock seats (i.e. no cloth torn up rag a muffins), side mirrors, and windshield wipers. While I'm sure the suspension is blown once it's running under it's own power it will be much easier to work with.

If you haven't seen the rust pics yet they are here. That's all from battery acid. Otherwise the car looks great. I've decided to just stabilize the rust and have fun with the car. Once up and running I'll get some professional views on the cost and feasibility of repairing the damage.

also wanted to add that it looks like it has a nice set of poly bushings!

It does have aftermarket bushings. But considering the ones on the sway bars are actually cracking and have chunks missing they all are going to need to be replaced.

Ah that sucks, hope you get that sorted soon. I don't have any seats though, can't think of anyone around here that does right off hand, got power mirrors, no wipers/motors but I do have suspension bits and two new blues for the front, dunno if they'll fit your car though. Lemme know whatever else you're looking for and I may be able to help.

Antique plate info:
http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/N...pid=10&pltid=1
Was gonna get a set for mine but there are too many restrictions for my liking.

Ouch, that rust looks pretty bad on the frame rails. The rest is gonna take some work but it's fixable. :icon_tup:

Rust on the frame rails? What pictures are you looking at?
Looks pretty solid to someone from Michigan anyway. :)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...2002/rail1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...2002/rail2.jpg

Guess that's considered pretty good to you yanks. ;)

lol you should see mine... practically zero rust...

No rust at all on mine. :)

I suspect the problems with that car are the result of it sitting outside for god knows how long on flat tires, in the orginal CL ad it looked like it was resting on the frame rails lol.

Actually this rust is due to a leaking battery that I suspect sat in the car while it was sitting in the field outside.